Rhaphiolepis

( raf - ee - oh - LIP - iss )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of evergreen shrubs includes species which need full sun to light shade and little to regular water to perform well in the landscape. Leaves are glossy and leathery and flowers bloom profusely from late fall to late spring in colors ranging from white through red. Flowers have a sweet, pleasant fragrance that varies from fruity to candy-like. Dark blue fruit follows. New growth is commonly bronze or red in springtime. Most species are low-growing, rarely reaching more than 5-6 feet tall at maturity. Use these shrubs in mixed beds and borders, to line pathways, as specimens, in pots on patios, or simply as evergreen background foliage in the landscape. They can also be massed as groundcover or used as erosion control on slopes.

Rhaphiolepis Species and Varietals

The genus Rhaphiolepis includes 15 species and is a member of the plant family Rosaceae. The shrubs in this genus are related to those in Crataegus (Hawthorn), Heteromeles (Toyon), Photinia, and Eriobotyra (Loquat). Rhaphiolepis grows best in USDA hardiness zones 8-10 or Sunset growing zones 8-10, 12-24, H1 and H2, though this can vary somewhat depending on the species cultivated. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Rhaphiolepis x delacourii (Indian Hawthorn, Hybrid Indian Hawthorn, Pink Indian Hawthorn)
This is a hybrid species between Rhaphiolepis indica and Rhaphiolepis umbellata and reaches 6 feet tall and 8 feet wide at maturity. This is the most widely grown species, and produces upright clusters of pink flowers. Cultivars include 'Georgia Petite' (2.5 feet tall, 3.5 feet wide with pink buds that open to white flowers), and 'Snowcap' (4 feet tall and wide, with pink buds that open to pink flowers which fade to white; foliage turns burgundy-red in wintertime) both have good disease resistance. This species is considered invasive in Australia.

Rhaphiolepis indica (Indian Hawthorne, India Hawthorn, Hong Kong Hawthorn, 石斑木)
This Chinese native reaches 4-5 feet tall and 5-6 feet wide, with pink-tinged white flowers. This species is considered invasive in Australia. Cultivars are more widely grown than the straight species, and are listed and described below.

'Ballerina'
2 feet tall and 4 feet wide, with deep rose-pink flowers and reddish winter foliage.

'Clara'
3-5 feet tall and wide with white flowers and red new growth.

'Dancer'
This variety reaches 4 feet tall and 5 feet wide. Pink flowers.

'Eleanor Taber'
4 feet tall and 3 feet wide, with leaf-spot resistance. Red foliage matures to green, turning maroon in winter.

'Indian Princess'
3 feet tall and 5 feet wide, with light pink flowers.

'Jack Evans'
4-5 feet tall and 4 feet wide. Flowers are bright pink. Foliage sometimes has purple tint.

'Majestic Beauty'
Single or multi-trunked tree to 25 feet tall and 10 feet wide. Light pink flowers are fragrant and form in clusters up to 10 inches long.

'Springtime'
Vigorous upright growth to 4-6 feet tall and wide. Flowers are deep pink.

Rhaphiolepis umbellata (Rhaphiolepis umbellata ovata, Rhaphiolepis ovata) (Yeddo Hawthorn, Sexton's Bride, Japanese Hawthorn, Indian Hawthorn, Wheel Plum, Sharimbai, シャリンバイ, 車輪梅, Dajeongkeumna-mu, 다정큼나무)
This species is native to Japan and Korea, with vigorous growth to 4-6 feet tall and wide. Leaves are leathery and dark green and flowers are wide. Thick and bushy growth when grown in sun. Cultivars include 'Minor' (also called 'Gulf Green' or the Dwarf Yeddo Hawthorn, a compact form to 3-4 feet tall and wide), 'Southern Moon' (pictured; to 6 feet tall and 8 feet wide, with great disease resistance), 'Emerald Waves' (glossy wavy leaves and pure white flowers with good heat tolerance), and 'Blueberry Muffin' (to 203 feet tall with maroon-purple winter foliage). This species is considered invasive in Australia and New Zealand.

Caring for Rhaphiolepis

Plant Raphiolepis in a space in the landscape that receives full sun to partial shade; ideally, they appreciate between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day for the best blooms and overall growth rate. When these shrubs are grown in less light, they will not flower as profusely. In warm climates, they appreciate shade during the late afternoon when temperatures are at their peak. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 6.0 and 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these plants are drought-tolerant, but will benefit from consistent, deep waterings during dry spells. Allow soil to dry out slightly between waterings.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season, and remove spent flower spikes to neaten up the appearance of plants. Raphiolepis shrubs bloom on old wood, so removing the current season's spent flowers will not trigger more to form and heavy prunings should be avoided during the growing season. After the flowering season finishes, prune immediately to shape the shrub. Never remove more than one third of the shrub's above-ground growth at any one time. These shrubs typically can survive in the landscape for 20 to 60 years or more before needing to be replaced.

Caring for Raphiolepis in Containers
Barberry shrubs are wonderful in the ground, but can also be grown in containers. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with organic material and perlite, and top with a layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. Raphiolepis plants grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.

Propagation

Rhaphiolepis can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your shrub, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Rhaphiolepis by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.

Propagating Rhaphiolepis by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 7-14 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Rhaphiolepis shrubs produce berries that contain either one to two seeds each.

Rhaphiolepis seeds are hard and irregularly rounded.

Problems and Pests

Certain Raphiolepis species are considered invasive in some regions; see the species descriptions above for more information. Check with local authorities before planting. Rhaphiolepis shrubs are generally resistant to pest and disease, but can be affected by the following garden issues: